Ahead of tomorrow morning’s Glasgow Derby, where Celtic have the opportunity to establish a five-point lead at the top of the league, looking down on the Rangers, Callum McGregor spoke to the media and sounded full of confidence…
McGregor is nearing his 30th appearance in the fixture and is becoming a veteran of the Glasgow Derby. The Celtic captain has made it clear that the Celtic squad should stay calm, and treat the big match like any other game. Mcgregor said…
“When players join the club they read stories or listen to interviews about the game. It’s important for the lads to stay calm, everyone else will hype the game up for them but internally we have to remain calm,” the Celtic captain said.
“Us experienced boys will get around the young lads and new ones and make sure they are focused and let their football do the talking. You’ve always got to have that belief when you go into any game that you continue to do the right things, work hard and be humble about it.
“We want to replicate the similar performances of what the manager is asking from us and the challenge is to try and maintain the level for us as long as we can and when the big games come up then we have to show our quality and character.”
“We understand the consequences of the fixture but the players are in a good place, we’re a strong group that understands every game is as important as the next one and that’s the mindset that we’ve got.
“Our aim is to get a positive result and if we do then that kicks on but we just have to go into the game with the same approach and if we give our best it will take care of itself.”
Celtic have had a fantastic start to the season, winning six out of six matches. Mcgregor is hoping to carry on the excellent form Celtic have been displaying into the upcoming Glasgow Derby. Mcgregor continued…
If you’re in a good moment and rhythm, and the team’s good and confident, then it’s important to carry that into the game.
“If one team turns up and wants the game more than the other then form does go out the window but if both teams, as I’m sure they will be, are super motivated for the game and then form comes into it.
‘You have to get after the game and use your previous ones as a marker to set the tone and that’s what we have to do.’
“The football that we’re playing is slick and incisive and everyone understands their role and is playing with freedom.
“That comes from everyone understanding their job and being super aggressive in their mindset to attack the game as much as we can and the challenge is to sustain that for as long as we can and go into the game with that approach.”
No doubt the atmosphere at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon will be bewildering and a spectacle some of the fresh faces in the Celtic squad are yet to experience. However, Callum Mcgregor will be there to lead his side on the field and guide the Bhoys to a seventh victory of the season.
